Mines and mineral rights can be a tricky issue for developers or anyone looking to acquire a property. In law, there is a rebuttable presumption that when purchasing the registered title of a property that this registered title will include the property and all airspace above (up to the heavens) and all of the land below ground.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 came into force yesterday (20 March 2019). It requires both social and privately rented dwellings to meet certain living standards throughout the term of the tenancy and not just at the outset.

Judgment was today handed down in R (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants) v Secretary of State for the Home Department concerning the Government’s “Right to Rent” scheme which has been the cause of concern for both landlords and tenants.

If you want to avoid your life being overlooked, don’t buy a glass fronted flat in a trendy area across the street from a world- renowned museum which wants to exploit its own potential for spectacular views.

The recently launched Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners legal directories have recognised Laytons LLP for a number of key services across London, Manchester and Guildford including Corporate & Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property, Family and Property Litigation services.

Obligations to repair defective work in new developments may be owed by tenants, contractors and sub-contractors. Clare Butler considers the nature of these obligations, the difficulties that can arise and the issues identified in the recent case of Office Depot v UBS [2018] EWHC 1494 (TCC).

From 1 October 2018, changes are being made to mandatory licensing of HMOs in England. The Licensing of House in Multiple Occupation (England) Order 2018 (“the 2018 Order”) will replace the 2006 Order and alter the definition of an HMO under the Housing Act 2004.

Tax specialist, Marc Selby has been featured in Telegraph Money in an article highlighting the fact that house buyers are routinely paying too much stamp duty because their solicitors fail to understand complex rules.

Under the MEES Regulations, no commercial property which is required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) can be let for a term certain of more than 6 months, but less than 99 years, unless it’s minimum level of energy prescribed for the property (evidenced in the EPC) is Band E or above.